lilac_angel Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 Maybe they weren't meant to be displayed behind glass forever.. and that's God's way of saying that... =) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilac_angel Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 (edited) "Disregarding the irrational elements and proven frauds, there is enough evidence of remarkable occurrences surrounding the incorruptibles to take the phenomenon seriously. It hasn't been systematically examined by science and no rational explanations have yet been offered. The devout therefore continue believing that the bodies of these individuals have been miraculously preserved by God because of their sacredness and purity - as a reminder of their wonderful deeds. Other supernatural characteristics usually related to incorruptibles are: an absence of rigor mortis; a persistent pleasant fragrance emanating from the body; in rare cases a bleeding long after death (from stigmata wounds or injuries suffered in martyrdom); in a few cases bodies have been warm long after death; even more rarely there has been some kind of ritualized movement of the limbs (for example, giving a blessing or even talking), which cannot be accounted for by mere contraction of muscles. Secret or long-forgotten burial places of incorruptible saints have often been revealed to the discoverers by dreams or visions. Sometimes the discovery has been caused by unusual noises or a strange light emanating from the burial place. Long-dead bodies, or their remaining parts, have sometimes exuded a fragrant, clear oil known as Oil of Saints or Manna Oil of Saints. This liquid, as well as any relic related with the incorruptible saints, like blood or clothing, are usually attributed great powers of healing." [url="http://www.stumbleupon.com/url/www.livingmiracles.net/Incorrupt.html"]http://www.stumbleupon.com/url/www.livingm.../Incorrupt.html[/url] Edited June 14, 2008 by lilac_angel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abercius24 Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 (edited) Remember, the incorruptibles are testimonies to us that we must have faith in the Resurrection of the Dead. Though worms and maggots will eat of our bodies someday, God has the power -- and has given the promise -- to resurrect and preserve us at the End of Time. For even one part of a saint's body to have not decayed over a century long period, we can see beauty in the hope they offer to us. Edited June 14, 2008 by abercius24 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selah Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 St. Bernadette is so beautiful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dominicansoul Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 I think of all of them, St. Bernadette is the most beautiful! All the rest seem to be slowly decomposing... I don't like what they did to St. Catherine of Sienna. It's one thing to put these Saints bodies on display for veneration, but different body parts? Her head??? I just don't think that's very respectful to her... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnydigit Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 (edited) [quote name='CatherineM' post='1570231' date='Jun 12 2008, 09:41 PM']I've never seen one in person, and am not sure how I would handle it.[/quote] you kinda get the urge to want to touch it. it's surreal. it's there. then you pray, then you gotta leave. was blessed to visit Saint Catherine of Bologna [img]http://members.chello.nl/~l.de.bondt/SaintCatherineofBologna.jpg[/img] kinda mummy-like. fun fact- early church celebrated Mass on the tombs of martyrs. Edited June 14, 2008 by johnnydigit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paladin D Posted June 14, 2008 Author Share Posted June 14, 2008 [quote name='Selah' post='1570869' date='Jun 13 2008, 10:03 PM']St. Bernadette is so beautiful [/quote] She has a light coating of wax over her face and hands, due to some discoloration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mortify Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 [quote name='Paladin D' post='1570958' date='Jun 13 2008, 11:38 PM']She has a light coating of wax over her face and hands, due to some discoloration.[/quote] That just doesn't make sense. Are they trying to preserve what God is decomposing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnydigit Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 [quote name='mortify' post='1571184' date='Jun 14 2008, 11:28 AM']That just doesn't make sense. Are they trying to preserve what God is decomposing?[/quote] i don't think so. an undeniable miracle has already been proven, they're just doing some touch-ups for display. a little blush and highlights to cover some blemishes that aren't the most aesthetic, inasmuch as a sneaky maggot crawling out of the nose may not be too pretty for veneration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misereremi Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 cool thread. Seeing an incorrupt body is awe-inspiring. Some of my most vivid and cherished childhood memories were venerating incorruptibles. I remember visiting Santa Maria Goretti, Santa Chiara d'Assisi, St. Cecilia (it is a statue of her), and just feeling very close to them. I'd love to visit St Veronica Giuliani someday. When I was a kid I got lost in the Cappuchin catacomb in Palermo (on a school trip). It was like being surrounded by sleeping people from centuries ago. There is a baby in there who really looks alive. The conditions of the catacomb allow for mummification, but I do wonder whether some of those incorrupt bodies were actually very holy people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatherineM Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 Ever since this thread started, all I can think of when I think of St. Catherine is one of those heads in a jar on Futurama. If I thought there was a chance that someone would want to disinter me someday, and stick me in a church to be adored, I'd freak. Most of the saints were very humble and modest, so I would think it would upset them. I'm going to give cremation serious thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilac_angel Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 (edited) I admit that the preserved head thing seems a little strange, but it's an exception, at least... Once I'm in heaven, I'd no longer worry what has happened to my body on Earth, and if my deceased body somehow serves to increase the glory given to the Church and convert or increase fervor in souls, then I'd be all for it. Plus, in heaven, they are holy and have reached new forms of glorification, so the worldly modesty and humility virtues so necessary for entering the Kingdom are less necessary for them personally since they've completed their mission, made it to God's Kingdom, and now help sinners down below achieve their own goals of modesty in hopes of achieving eternal peace. It's a way of miraculously showing that such virtues pay off. The ones like St. Bernadette look so peaceful and calm, without anymore worries. Besides, she, along with others like St. Catherina Laboure, still exude quite a presence of modesty to me. They look timelessly ever-prayerful, peaceful, and protected by God. Edited June 16, 2008 by lilac_angel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prose Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 I don't care what happens to my body. I know I am going to get it back someday, and in the meantime, I would want it to help God's plan in any way it can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selah Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 One day I hope I can go visit the incorrupt body of St. Bernadette....I love her so much <3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 I love this topic! My brothers and I were talking once... you know what would be a very awesome miracle to be attributed to someone? The sainly person dies, and is cremated. Possibility a) Their ashes are kept in a Church for a period of time for some kind of service, maybe? We can say this person was extremely devout. All of a sudden, someone comes in one morning and their body is laying on the altar! Nice....... Possiblity b) Their ashes are spread somewhere outdoors. Maybe it's in a river, or scattered in the wind. Then, downwind or downriver, their body is found entirely normal! WOULD THIS NOT BE AWESOME?? I sure think it would be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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